KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — When Will Muschamp named Jeff Driskel his starting quarterback the Monday after Florida’s season-opening 27-14 win over Bowling Green, his reasoning for doing so seemed obvious.
Three Gators advanced on the second day at the Bedford Cup, but top-seeded Bob van Overbeek was not one of them. Florida State’s Dominic Controne defeated van Overbeek 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets during the round of 16.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Will Muschamp called his team “soft” last November. Throughout the 2011 season, the Gators repeatedly struggled to finish close games.
Florida gave its visiting teams a rude welcome Saturday afternoon.
Florida didn’t let rain affect their performance on the tennis court.
For the second straight match, No. 13 Florida bounced back from a first set deficit to capture another victory. But for the first time this year, the Gators needed all five sets to do it.
Through their first six games, the Gators had not received nor surrendered a penalty kick.
Raised in Alabama, new men’s tennis coach Bryan Shelton was instilled with the simple southern values he has kept with him all of his life.
Florida will face a daredevil in Knoxville, Tenn.
First-year head coach Paul Spangler graduated from Alabama. He also received a master’s degree from Florida State. However, when the opportunity arose for the homegrown Florida boy to become the leader of UF’s cross country teams, he took advantage of it.
The Gators know the importance of an early lead.
When Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray takes his first snap on Saturday, Florida needs to get after him. The Gators’ pass rush — particularly the defensive line — has been quiet for too long.
Florida cornerbacks have a tall task Saturday.
Florida’s biggest strength in 2011, its defense, had just one glaring weakness: forcing turnovers.
For Maddy Monserez, the Active Ankle Challenge wasn’t just another three wins for the Gators. Instead, last weekend’s matches against Jacksonville, Louisiana-Lafayette and Georgia Tech were the first time that the sophomore played right back for Florida.
Annie Speese’s phenomenal freshman season last year did not have a happy ending.
The last time Tennessee beat Florida, Will Muschamp and Derek Dooley were co-workers at LSU. Muschamp served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Dooley was the special teams coordinator and coached the running backs. It was 2004.
With defender Kat Williamson out indefinitely due to a torn right meniscus, the Gators will look to a pair of seniors to anchor the defense.
Florida has only four sacks in the season’s first two games and will be without 2011 sack leader Ronald Powell for the rest of the year, but it’s not time to panic just yet.
Will Muschamp always wears his realistic glasses.
Solutions by The State News
